Years ago, where I worked, most calls were automatically routed to me.
One day I got a call wanting to sell me siding. I explained this was a company and we didn’t need siding. Then she tried to sell me siding for my own house. I already had siding and and didn’t need any.
A few seconds later another call for the same.
Then another, then another, then another. Then the Supervisor’s phone began ringing for the same reason. then another , and another, and another. Even unlisted numbers were coming in. It was 30 minutes of uninterrupted calls coming in. I was bout ready to curse out the next caller but I didn’t. It was the plant manger and he was bombarded with calls on his private company phone.
Meanwhile I’m still getting calls for the same.
Finally they ceased. We figured out that there was a “boiler room” somewhere full of people and they were calling all numbers in the telephone book and numbers inbetween ours and others.
Finally they passed us and went on to torment others.
We have a whistle, I don’t use it though, hub has. I just tell them I’m dirt poor and never buy anything, ever, and probably can’t pay property tax and will lose the house and don’t have credit cards.
End of conversation usually.